Inmates go to bat for jailed women

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A committee of prisoners at Edmonton's Grierson Center has gone to bat for incarcerated women.

Since there isn't a federal institution in Alberta for women they're sent to Ontario's Kingston Penitentiary.

"It is deplorable these women can never see their families on a regular basis," Grierson Center inmate spokesman Richard Stonechild told the provincial Native justice task force led by Mr. Justice Robert Allan Cawsy at a July 11 meeting.

"It's hard for us to talk about women's issues but they cannot be forgotten," Stonechild added.

Committee member Richard Laboucan said women are alone in jail.

"When a woman is given a five-year child, four years without seeing his mother can have a grave impact on that child.

"They need a facility here (in Alerta) for them," Laboucan stressed.

At present women sentenced to two years less a day are usually housed at the Fort Saskatchewan Institution. But women sentenced to two years or more have only one alternative , Kingston.

"Have you ever heard a woman cry when she is taken away from her children? Doing life on an installment plan is hard enough for women, right across the country," Laboucan said.

In a written presentation to the provincial task force the all-Native committee stressed women should have the same opportunities as their male counterparts.

"For too long women have received the dirty end of the stick in corrections. Since they make up the lesser number of those in jails, we see no reason why they should not have the basic human right to be placed near their children," the submission read.

Justice Cawsey said since the task force has been visiting penal institutions across Alberta, they are coming up with many recommendations that "certainly" must be looked at.

"We seem to get something new out of each institution we visit," he said.

Other concerns of the Grierson committee was the need for the establishment of retreat centers in Native communities for Natives being released, a resident elder in all institutions, a Native youth center for young offenders and a community support system.

"Retreats are needed where newly-released prisoners can go for spiritual guidance and to learn new skills," Stonechild said.

Cawsey said the task force made a presentation at the All-Chiefs' conference held in Edmonton July 2-5.

He said the presentation drew a favorable response.

"They pledged support to the Native Brotherhoods and are willing to work with them. I see there are Native leaders willing to take responsibility.

"The Metis Association of Alberta has also indicated they support a support group in the communities for released prisoners," Cawsey.

Cawsey is expected to prepare a report for the federal and provincial governments by De. 31, 1990.

The provincial task force is touring Native communities and penal institutions in Alberta to hear from Native people on their treatment and to get their recommendations for changes to the criminal justice system.

The Grierson center's committee includes Stonechild, Laboucan, John Tourangeau and Darrin Breland.